That includes anti-LGBT state laws, several aimed directly at limiting transgender individuals' ability to do something other people (cisgender people) take for granted: pee in the public bathroom that matches their gender.

Some cities have ordinances (city-level laws) banning trans people from using the facilities that match their gender identity, like Houston, Texas. And some school districts have rules that force trans students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match the sex listed on their birth certificate.

But Schilling got fired over it, for being insensitive and intolerant.

Presidential hopeful Ted Cruz supports these laws too. He echoes what many others have argued: that allowing transgender women to use the women's bathroom would put "little girls alone in a bathroom with grown men."

What's the reality?

Not actually dangerous. (yooperann/Flickr)

The idea that transgender people -- or people pretending to be transgender -- spy on or even attack children and straight people in bathrooms is actually 100% myth.

That's right, there is currently zero evidence that "men dressed as women" will go into a bathroom and assault anyone.

In fact, in encounters involving trans people in bathrooms, you know who does get attacked? Trans people. A survey of 93 transgender adults in DC found that 68% had been verbally attacked in a public restroom, while 9% had been physically assaulted. Over half developed health problems like urinary tract infections from avoiding using bathrooms in public.

And ironically, it's anti-transgender legislation that will put men -- transgender men -- in women's restrooms, and transgender women in men's rooms.

Since the North Carolina law went into effect, the Trans Lifeline, a crisis hotline by and for transgender people, is getting unprecedented numbers of calls from suicidal trans people since the bill was passed.

The number of people calling the hotline has doubled, with over 200 calls per day.

This sad effect isn't isolated, either. A study by Georgia State University has connected anti-transgender policies with increased suicide rates among transgender students.

There's been backlash against the bigotry and the laws

Women at a Pride event. (Foto | Filip/Flickr)

Several large companies have loudly denounced the bathroom laws. Paypal and the NBA cut ties with North Carolina over its new law, while hundreds of other companies based in affected states have protested, and performing artists like Bruce Springsteen and many others have canceled shows in North Carolina.

And Target just publicly announced that their team members and customers can use whichever bathroom they so choose, no matter what state they're in.

Believe it or not, the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination -- Mr. Donald J. Trump -- has come out against these laws:

"People go. They use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate. There has been so little trouble. And the problem with what happened in North Carolina is the strife and the economic -- I mean, the economic punishment that they're taking."

He then said that he would be OK with Caitlyn Jenner using whichever bathroom she chose if she visited Trump Tower.

But these laws might be on their way out, anyway. A transgender teenager in Virginia won a federal case for the right to use the boys' bathroom. According to the American Civil Liberties Union,

"The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit marks the first time a federal appeals court has determined that Title IX protects the rights of transgender students to use sex-segregated facilities that are consistent with their gender identity."

In other words, this sets a new precedent for protecting transgender rights in schools -- and may eventually render anti-trans laws null and void.

This article was written by Alison Maney and originally appeared on Kicker. Kicker explains the most important, compelling things going on in the world and empowers you to get in the know, make up your own mind, and take action. For more, check out the Kicker site, like their Facebook page, or subscribe to their email newsletter.